By Samantha Joseph
Staff writer
MARTIN COUNTY - A man who police referred to as a "significant dealer" is behind bars after investigators executed a search warrant that led to the discovery of drugs at his home in East Stuart.
Robert Williams of 919 S.E. Ninth St., faces three felonies and one misdemeanor charge following his Oct. 3 arrest and was held on $86,000 bond.
Stuart Police charged him with possession of cocaine and marijuana within 1,000 feet of a park. Mr. Williams lives within about 850 feet of the Guy Davis Ballfield and about 820 feet from J.D. Parker Elementary School.
They also charged the 56-year-old with possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The drugs were scattered throughout his property, according to arrest records.
One cocaine rock was in the bedroom, others were on an air-condition unit in a window and on the front porch.
"The cocaine was hidden under a potted plant, but immediately available for sale purposes," reported arresting officer Detective George McLain.
And police said Mr. Williams admitted owning the drugs.
Officers with the special operations unit and special response team entered the home without incident after they served the warrant, according to information from Michael Pope, spokesman for the Stuart Police Department.
"After a search of the home officers found half a pound of (marijuana) and several crack cocaine rocks," Mr. Pope said in a statement.
A gallon-size Ziploc bag, discovered in a grill in the back yard contained about a half pound of marijuana, enough to make between 280 and 480 cigarettes, according to Det. McLain.
"The narcotics...were possessed with the intent to sell, based on the quantity of cannabis, the manner in which the cocaine was stored and readily accessible," according to the arrest affidavit. "There was also a complete lack of smoking devices within the house."